Friend to Friend May 1, 2019

May 1, 2019

As Way Opens

This past week I have found myself drawn outside, whether that’s on my morning walks, as I stroll through the gardens springing forth around our home, or as I sit on a bench in the Meditational Woods at the Meetinghouse. I love to see the brilliant colors of the tulips and the flowering trees. I also enjoy the songs of the birds frolicking outside my windows throughout the day. And even though I am slightly allergic to the lilacs and more fragrant flowers, the sweet smells announce that Spring has finally arrived.

With this arrival, also comes the task of the gardener in preparing the beds, tilling and weeding the soil, and mulching. Since this is only the second Summer in our home, we still have some work to do. To help fill in some of the spots in our flower beds, Sue and I attended the Newfields’ Plant Sale last Saturday. We grabbed several beautiful plants to create a Peace Garden outside of our front window. A tradition we have enjoyed at each home we have owned.

After we posted some photos of our new garden on Facebook, someone commented “What is a Peace Garden?” In Quaker Catherine Whitmire’s book, Practicing Peace she gives some context.

“Peace researcher Elise Boulding has found that as far back as we have written records, there are myths and legends about people envisioning ‘peaceable gardens.’ She writes:
It is a comfort to me, when I get discouraged about the state of humanity, to realize that every civilization tradition, no matter how warlike or materialistic its history, contains in its literary record imagery concerning a Peaceable Garden. The Peaceable Garden is a public space, often a garden or green meadow, where people have laid aside weapons and live together in peace; feasting, playing, talking philosophy, and reciting poetry. The Greeks knew it, the desert Bedouin knew it. We have an enduring capacity to visualize humans as better than we experience ourselves to be and the social order as more harmonious than what we see around us.”

If you are discouraged this week about the state of humanity around you, find a garden to walk through or sit within. Even better, go buy some plants and create a peaceable garden where with your neighbors and friends you can feast, play, read or write. It may just lift your soul and give you hope!

Grace and peace,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

We had a lovely garden work day this past Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came to help us build garden beds and tend to the Community Garden. We had a great time!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Have you cleared out your bookshelf lately? We are now only $212 away from our goal to fund a project with Right Sharing of World Resources (https://www.rswr.org). Did you know that a lot of the money that women earn from their RSWR-funded businesses go toward paying for books and schooling for their children? On that topic, we challenge you—have you cleaned out your bookshelf lately? Try going through your books and finding ones that you no longer need. Take them to a reseller, such as Half Price Books, and see how much you get for them—then consider donating that to help support our RSWR project, Keyo’s fruit and veggie stall!

Volunteers Needed! Quaker Men are planning to build two raised garden beds for residents of Friends Apartment Homes. Friends Apartment Homes are behind the Yearly Meeting Office in Plainfield. The date is Saturday, May 4th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Work should be completed by noon. Battery powered drills are needed for the work. No hammers are needed. If you can come, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org. Thank you.

Please join us on May 5th! All are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, May 5th. We will have a belated Earth Day celebration. Please bring your old t-shirts as together we will learn how to turn them into reusable shopping bags. In addition, “Quaker Green” First Friends reusable tote bags will also be available for purchase, with proceeds going to youth Quaker Affirmation. In honor of Cinco de Mayo we will also enjoy Mexican food. Come join us for fellowship and fun!

Volunteers Invited ~ The Community Garden is partnering with Mid-North Food Pantry. We invite you to participate in this endeavor in a variety of ways. You may help garden, harvest, transport, sort and wash produce, etc. Please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’re interested. You may volunteer once on regularly we hope our efforts can further the pantry’s efforts.

Save the Date! First Friends Women’s Retreat ~ Please mark your calendar for our Women’s Retreat on September 20th - 22nd 2019. The retreat will be held at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove and will start with dinner on Friday and end after worship on Sunday. The theme of the retreat is Know Thy Selfie - Discover More of Yourself and How you Relate to Others. We will be exploring the Enneagram personality program with lots of time for fellowship, quiet time and some fun activities. Keep an eye out for more information as we draw near!

Save the Date – Volunteer Recognition & Luncheon ~ Please mark your calendars for Sunday, May 19th when we will recognize and honor our volunteers. The Christian Education & Connections Committees will put on a luncheon during Fellowship hour to celebrate the end of the school year programming and to thank everyone who’s made each Sunday here at the Meeting so wonderful this year! Please plan on joining us that day.

Calling All Graduates! ~ As we do each year, we will be honoring our graduates on Sunday, May 19th. If you or someone in your family is graduating from high school or college, please notify the office so we may acknowledge them! office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Christian Education Sunday School Survey ~ How is the Sunday School hour at 9am working for you and your family? How can it be improved? Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey to help us evaluate our Sunday school offerings and make them even better! This feedback is important to make sure our Christian Education here at First Friends is the best it can be. Find the survey at http://bit.ly/2vb98b0.

Calling anyone with a green thumb! Terry T is looking to give the garden beds around the Meetinghouse some TLC. If anyone is interested in helping keep our Meetinghouse green and lively, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org!

Come join our merry band of peaceful Weed Warriors! We are planning the following times to enhance the beauty of our meditational woods. Here are our weeding dates for April and May. We will meet from 9-10:30 am to avoid the heat and damaging sun. If the Spirit moves us, we can go out for coffee or tea afterwards. We are focusing on the entry, Peace pole, butterfly garden and Worship Circle while maintaining our wildlife area. Please join us on May 3, May 8, May 13, May 22, and May 29 for additional work days. We don't expect you for every one of these dates, but the more the merrier and many hands make light work! Mid May we'll re-evaluate the frequency. Thank you, ~Mindy S and Mary B, co-clerks

Quilters Guild of Indianapolis ~ Did you know that the Quilter’s Guild of Indianapolis meets here at First Friends on the 4th Saturday of each month? This guild is one that Ann P was part of. Each month they meet to work on their quilts and learn new techniques. Members and attenders of First Friends are welcome to come! If you are interested in taking part, and/or are interested in learning how to quilt, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org. For more information on the guild, you can visit http://quiltguildindy.net. Their next meeting will be Saturday, May 25!

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s pick for the month of May is Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. The discussion will be led by Rhonda Craver on Tuesday May 28th at 7 pm in the Parlor. Here is the New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/books/review/barbara-kingsolver-unsheltered.html Everyone is welcome to join us!

Stoking the Fire: Stirring up the Embers ~ Friends United Meeting (FUM) invites you to join us as we seek to stir up the embers of our faith, both individually and as a beloved fellowship of Friends. Speakers will include Mary Glazer, Doug Gwyn, Kelly Kellum, Richard Sitati, Katie Ubry-Terrell, and our own Bob Henry! The event will be held from June 7-10 at the Quaker Hill Conference Center in Richmond, IN. The registration deadline is May 31st so don’t delay! For more information or to register, please visit www.friendsunitedmeeting.org/connect/stoking-the-fire-2019

This Week’s Queries

To read Bob’s sermon from this past Sunday, please visit our website at https://www.indyfriends.org/messages

Insights and Queries from the Resurrection Appearances of Jesus:

1. Check your sight – Ask: What do I really see?

2. Always remember the bigger story – Ask: What have I forgotten?

3. Be open to needing direct intervention – Ask: Can I do it alone?

4. Take time to eat together for the benefit of the soul – Ask: Who do I need to have coffee or lunch with?

5. Don’t let your doubts get the best of you – Ask: Can I believe without having to see?

6. Stop reverting to your “defaults” – Ask: What are my possibilities?

7. Doing the ordinary is just as important as the extraordinary – Ask: What am I about in the daily?

8. Remember you are not alone – Ask: God, are you mad at me? Do you love me? Help me remember that you will never leave me nor forsake me – or help me remember the proximity of hope!

Spread the News ~ Stamps for Right Sharing of Word Resources!

Help spread the word about stamps for Right Sharing of World Resources! Join us in adding a note to the back of outgoing letters— “Save your stamps for Right Sharing!” For more information visit https://www.rswr.org/stamp-program

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Friend to Friend April 24, 2019

April 24, 2019

As Way Opens

I was standing in our Meeting's kitchen yesterday watching 3- and 4-year old’s from the MSPC Co-op running around our playground with complete abandon and pure joy on their faces. Several of the parents and kids had spread blankets on the ground and were eating lunch from their backpacks. The temperature was 66 degrees with a slight breeze. And the trees and flowers were bursting with possibility and beauty. I could hardly come inside yesterday when I arrived at the Meeting as nature was beckoning me to stay outside so I did walk through our meditational woods and felt God’s presence in my heart, under my feet and in the air. This is what spring and the idea of resurrection does to us. It takes us out of our dark corners of suffering and loss and shows us that we can experience a new life. And that new life has been under our feet all the time, but we couldn’t see it until now.

Why do I always forget every year how glorious the earth is in spring? This picture of a rhododendron bush outside of my home reminds me so much of my father who has now been gone for 13 years. We had a bush just like this one at our home growing up and my dad loved that bush and all the flowers he tended to with such care and grace just like he did with his kids. I feel blessed that I had a father that sometimes gave me a glimpse of God and the love and grace that is right here before us, inviting us into communion. May we all on this very day stop with what we are doing and breathe in God and sit at this communion table of nature and live in the mystery of resurrection.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Mid-north food pantry served 97 families last Wednesday. Thanks go to: John and Ileen M, Kathy R, Ray G, Beth F, Mara S, Christie M, Linda and Rik L and Bill and Kathy F. Special thanks go to Kay C, provider of many wonderful reusable bags, which were received with great appreciation.

We had a beautiful Easter Sunday, filled with laughter, smiles, sunshine, and fellowship. We send our thanks to the Fellowship Committee for the beautiful Easter Brunch they put on for us after worship. Also thank you to Kathy R and Ann R who took pictures that day! If you’d like to see more pictures, visit our Facebook at www.facebook.com/Indyfriends. Also, many thanks to those who bought flowers to help make our Meetinghouse beautiful on Easter morning! Many of these flowers were dedicated to beloved friends and family.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Calling All Graduates! ~ As we do each year, we will be honoring our graduates on Sunday, May 20th. If you or someone in your family is graduating from high school or college, please notify the office so we may acknowledge them! office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Help Support Right Sharing of World Resources! Thank you all who have supported Right Sharing of World Resources this year as we try to raise money to sponsor a RSWR project in memory of Ann Panah. Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) is an organization that helps fund and support small business run by women in Kenya, India, and Sierra Leone. We are only $292 away from our goal to sponsor a project in Kenya. We will receive news and updates from the women we help support. Please consider making a donation as we are so close to reaching our goal! Thank you for your generosity!

College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their final exams at school. Due to the late Easter holiday, we will put out boxes this Sunday, April 28 which will also be the only Sunday the boxes will be set out. We will prepare to mail them the following day. Please feel free to fill the boxes with goodies like candy, cookies, cards, and other treats. Please bring enough for all 6 of our college students. Don’t have time to shop? We will gladly accept donations—and we will do the shopping for you! Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or send your donation to the office. Time is limited as final exams are already nearly upon us! Thank you for your support!

Garden Work Day ~ If you are a gardener, or interested in helping out in our garden, you are invited to our garden work day which will be held Saturday, April 27 at 9:30am. Anyone is invited, no RSVP needed! We hope to see you there. Also, it’s still not too late to reserve your plot if you’d like a space for the season! Simply contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

A Gathering of Hope for Friends who have experienced loss ~ Circle of Care is glad to present our “Gathering of Hope” on Sunday, April 28 after Meeting for Worship. This is a gathering for anyone who has experienced any kind of loss in the last year, such as a job loss, relationship loss, pet loss, divorce, etc. We will hold a lunch and a facilitated discussion on loss and grief. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP with the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is this coming Tuesday night! This book was suggested by Dan R who found The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe a real encouragement! The discussion is on the 30th of April at 7 pm in the Parlor. Click link for the New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/books/review/the-end-of-your-life-book-club-by-will-schwalbe.html All are welcome!

Shalom Zone’s 5th Tuesday Event ~ The next 5th Tuesday event sponsored by the Shalom Zone churches will be Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00pm at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Rd, 46220. The topic will be Healthcare and Human Rights. Our speaker will be Fran Quigley, a clinical professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he directs the Health and Human Rights Clinic. He also edits the weekly publication, Faith in Healthcare, www.faithinhealthcare.org, and coordinates the non-profit advocacy group of the same name. This is a free event and all are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!

Connecting with Creation ~ This month we have be talking about our love of nature and the 4 Rs of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This Sunday, May 5, we will be reusing and recycling those old T-shirts that you have tucked away in a drawer that you don't wear and don't want to give away. Bring them to First Friends and we will turn them into reusable shopping bags that you can use to go grocery shopping or pick up smaller items at the drugstore. You can politely refuse a plastic bag because you have your supercool repurposed T-shirt shopping bag. Come join us on May 5 with your old T-shirts in hand. A plant based light lunch will be available.

Last Wednesday, Indianapolis hosted its second Sustainability Conference at IUPUI. Have you noticed the change in our weather patterns? How the wind is blowing stronger, how winter temperatures fluctuate wildly, and our spring rainfall is heavier with more flooding than in the past? These are all signs that our earth is warming up. We invite you to consider how much our Hoosier environment means to you. The following chart lists the top 10 most effective actions that humans can have on the health of the planet. For more details, go to www.Drawdown.org to learn more.

Solutions by Rank:

Do you have a changing table? Are your children getting older and perhaps you have a changing table you no longer need? First Friends is looking for a changing table for a new nursing station that we will be setting up in the meetingroom balcony. If you or someone you know can help, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Volunteers Needed! Quaker Men are planning to build two raised garden beds for residents of Friends Apartment Homes. Friends Apartment Homes are behind the Yearly Meeting Office in Plainfield. The date is Saturday, May 4th beginning at 9:00 a.m. Work should be completed by noon. Battery powered drills are needed for the work. No hammers are needed. If you can come, please let Wayne Carter know at cwaynec@aol.com. Thank you.

Please join us on May 5th! All are invited to join us in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, May 5th. We will have a belated Earth Day celebration. As mentioned in the “Connecting with Creation” article earlier, please bring your old t-shirts as together we will learn how to turn them into reusable shopping bags. In addition, “Quaker Green” First Friends reusable tote bags will also be available for purchase, with proceeds going to youth Quaker Affirmation. In honor of Cinco de Mayo we will also enjoy Mexican food. Come join us for fellowship and fun!

Teacher Position Opening with MSPC ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative (MSPC, formerly Meridian Street Preschool Cooperative), a non-profit organization, is a play-based program centered on the philosophy that children, parents, and teachers learn from each other. Through a purposefully planned environment, we carefully nurture each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. The 3/4s Classroom Teacher would be responsible for providing quality, developmentally appropriate programming for one class of children with the support of two participating parents daily. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:45 am with enrichment until 1:30pm on Thursdays only. This position begins in September 2019, with fall and spring breaks, and summer break from June through August each year. Salary to be discussed at interview. For more information including how to apply, please visit http://bit.ly/2VAypqH.

Books Galore ~ We have a fine library containing many books on Quaker practices, beliefs, and history. The library, refreshed and well-organized by John M and committee, is beside the office. Also see the pamphlets from Pendle Hill covering topics of current interest. We also have a book exchange cart. You are welcome to take a book, you are invited to donate books, but please, just a few at a time. The cart is in Fellowship Hall. Or sometimes beside the side entrance to the parlor.

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Friend to Friend April 17, 2019

April 18, 2019

As Way Opens

I love these days leading up to Easter Sunday. This is one of my favorite times of the year to reflect on my faith. I sense, too many people get caught up in Easter egg hunts and baskets, nice dinners or wearing new clothes to church. Yet for Christians, there should be no distraction with shopping, gifts or chocolate bunnies. Instead, the symbolism and beauty of these days should far outweigh the commercialism.

Yet we are easily preoccupied. Sometimes it's a struggle to see relevance in an event that took place so long ago. One big problem for Christians is that the resurrection has been reduced to an event that "happened," instead of an ongoing part of our daily lives.

Preparing for Easter this year, I have been reflecting on several scripture verses that have helped me newly recognize the "resurrection life" we have been given. I have found Eugene Peterson's The Message edition of the Bible to help emphasize this theme.

I noticed that right in the center of the life of the early followers of Christ was this concept of resurrection life. Let me point a couple scriptures out.

"If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of His Son. Now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of His resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!" Romans 5:10-11

The first followers of Christ basked in resurrection living every single day. To them, the resurrection wasn't just about receiving eternal life in the future; it was about fully living life in the here and now.

"God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next, Papa?'" Romans 8:14.

This resurrected living not only gave purpose, it also provided opportunity and hope. Resurrection was motivation to endure, but not just endure -- to undergo the worst that life could bring while still living and even taking a stand.

"I look death in the face practically every day I live. Do you think I'd do this if I wasn't convinced of your resurrection and mine as guaranteed by the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Do you think I was just trying to act heroic when I fought the wild beasts at Ephesus, hoping it wouldn't be the end of me? Not on your life! It's resurrection, resurrection, always resurrection, that undergirds what I do and say, the way I live." 1 Corinthians 15:31-32.

Friends, we need to learn to live out resurrection in our daily lives. Too often we take resurrection for granted, become complacent, and "run through the motions" of faith. We must remember that we have been led from life’s prison cells into the wide-open spaces of God's love and power and that there is an adventure to truly live!

"So, if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ -- that's where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life, even though invisible to spectators, is with Christ in God. He is your life." Colossians 3:1-3.

Let’s work on being hopeful and coming together to see where our freedom takes us -- where this incredible opening we have in the veil of this life leads us into "resurrection life" today, tomorrow and the days after that.

Easter Blessings!

Bob

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

From Mary B, Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation (IFCL) ~ At our IFCL meeting on Saturday April 6, 2019, we learned that SB 613 was having a hearing in the House Finance Committee. This the bill that has given Gov. Holcomb “heartburn”, because it would allow out of state lenders to legally offer short term loans above the state’s previously defined loan sharking rate of 76%. Some of the “products” could have interest rates of 167%.

IFCL has been working with a coalition of churches and non-profit organizations that has given testimony to our legislators about the negative impact this kind of lending would have on our most economically vulnerable Hoosier citizens. Despite the strong testimony given, SB 613 kept moving through the Senate and had crossed over to the House.

Our coalition partners encouraged IFCL members to attend the hearing and be a presence during the committee hearing. Our leaders were told that signs would be distributed to silently voice our concerns and that various media would be present.

On Sunday during unprogrammed worship, SB 613 was on my heart. I thought about what a terrible burden these kind of loans would have on someone who is working a minimum wage job with an emergency spending need. How could they ever repay a loan with that kind of interest rate? Into my mind came a thought: Usury is evil. Teachings of the early church forbade members to loan money at interest. I didn’t want to carry a sign; I decided to get a T-shirt that reminded legislators, that usury is wrong and that there are better ways to help people through a crisis.

I consulted Pastor Bob about the wording I was planning to use and I tried to find a vendor who could print on a T-shirt. No one could give me a one day turn around, so I bought a fabric transfer kit from Staples and put the following on my shirt, front and back: “USURY IS EVIL Quakers against Payday Lending.” On Tuesday morning, our Quaker contingent traveled to the Statehouse and found the hearing chamber. Most legislators were not in the room yet, and I felt moved to take a front row seat, where I stood silently as the legislators walked past me to take their seats. An 11th hour amendment had been added to this very bad bill which legislators had received 45 minutes prior to the hearing. The bill sponsor tried to convince committee members that this was a needed product and that having a high interest rate was justified for serving high risk population and that this would help build credit. Despite some excellent questions asked by committee members, the bill and amendment was passed along party lines.

We felt depressed and defeated that such a bad bill could be approved. However, several people loved the T-shirt that I was wearing. They wanted pictures and the news media wanted interviews with me and other members of our group. We felt that there might be hope and we went to meet with several House members to share our concerns about this bill and that Quakers were against it. Later we heard that SB 613 was covered in the IndyStar, Channel 59, the Statehouse Files and Indiana Legislative Review.

Today we learned that SB 613 failed to move forward in the House. The actions of many people helped defeat this terrible bill. A little inspiration during unprogrammed worship and being obedient to the vision certainly helped raise awareness before the public.

Mary B appeared on the news—you can find her mentioned in the Indianapolis Business Journal here: https://www.ibj.com/articles/73246-amendment-to-payday-loan-bill-unable-to-calm-community-advocates and in print and video on Fox 59 here: https://fox59.com/2019/04/09/amended-loan-shark-bill-passes-committee-moves-to-full-indiana-house/

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Comedy with First Friends - Postponed ~ Please note that comedy night with First Friends at ComedySportz scheduled for tomorrow, April 18 is being postponed for the time being due to lack of interest. Please keep an eye out later in the year for a reschedule of this event.

Men’s Threshing Together ~ Since our ComedySportz event has been postponed, we will resume Threshing Together this month. If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm. See locations here: http://bit.ly/2UsqmQv.

Please note that the Meetinghouse will be open on Good Friday, April 19 from noon-3:00pm for anyone who would like to come worship in the Meetingroom. You may choose self-guided worship or unprogrammed worship. Feel free to come by on this holy day.

Rise Up and Sing ~ ♪ ♫ ♪ Singing in the sun, singing in the rain ♪ ♫ ♪ Sing for the joy of it, sing through the pain. ♪ ♫ ♪ ~ Join our casual, happy group on third Friday, April 19th. 7 PM in the parlor. Friends, bring your friends. Led as usual by Jim K.

Sunday School/Easter Morning Notices ~ Please note that there will be no Sunday School on Sunday, April 21st as we prepare for our Easter celebrations that morning. The choir will still meet at 9am, as well as the youth, who will meet at 9 to hide the eggs for the children’s Easter egg hunt that morning. All other Sunday school activities will not take place that morning. Unprogrammed worship in the Parlor will still take place during the 9 o’clock hour. We apologize for any confusion.

Please note the following Monthly Meeting changes: There will be no Monthly Meeting in April (due to Easter). There will also be a 30-minute delay in the start of Monthly Meeting on May 19 to allow participation in the annual recognition lunch.

Help Support Right Sharing of World Resources! Thank you all who have supported Right Sharing of World Resources this year as we try to raise money to sponsor a RSWR project in memory of Ann P. Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) is an organization that helps fund and support small business run by women in Kenya, India, and Sierra Leone. We are only $292 away from our goal to sponsor a project in Kenya. We will receive news and updates from the women we help support. Please consider making a donation as we are so close to reaching our goal! Thank you for your generosity!

College Care packages - It is time to send care packages to our college students as they prepare for their final exams at school. Due to the late Easter holiday, we will put out boxes on Sunday, April 28 which will also be the only Sunday the boxes will be set out. We will prepare to mail them the following day. Please feel free to fill the boxes with goodies like candy, cookies, cards, and other treats. Please bring enough for all 6 of our college students. Don’t have time to shop? We will gladly accept monetary donations—and we will do the shopping for you! Just leave your check in the offering plate on Sunday with the notation “college packages” or send your donation to the office. Time is limited as final exams are already nearly upon us! Thank you for your support!

Come join our merry band of peaceful Weed Warriors! We are planning the following times to enhance the beauty of our Meditational woods. Here are our weeding dates for April and May. We will meet from 9-10:30 am to avoid the heat and damaging sun. If the Spirit moves us, we can go out for coffee or tea afterwards. We are focusing on the entry, Peace pole, butterfly garden and Worship Circle while maintaining our wildlife area. Our next meetup will be on Wednesday, April 24, where we will clean up the Meditational Circle. Please also join us on May 3, May 8, May 13, May 22, and May 29 for additional work days. We don't expect you for every one of these dates, but the more the merrier and many hands make light work! Mid May we'll re-evaluate the frequency. Thank you, ~Mindy S and Mary B, co-clerks

Seasoned Friends ~ Our next gathering for our “Seasoned Friends” retirement-age Friends group will be Wednesday, April 24 at 11:30am. Our luncheon will focus on fresh spring foods and salads. After our luncheon we will hear from guest speaker Steven Baranyk who will tell us about Elizabeth Friedman, a Quaker dubbed “America’s first female cryptanalyst” whose work includes decrypting German messages during WWII. If you’re interested, please RSVP to the Meeting Office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s April pick is The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe! Even though he cannot be with us, this book was suggested by Dan R who found it a real encouragement. The discussion will be on Tuesday April 30th at 7 pm in the Parlor. New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/books/review/the-end-of-your-life-book-club-by-will-schwalbe.html Click on this link to follow event information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1864967900382889/. Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’d like to receive email updates.

Interested in starting a native plant garden? The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District is selling native plant kits. These kits take the guess work out of creating your own native garden. Each kit includes a selection of tried and true native plans to create your own pollinator garden, shade, prairie garden or rain garden. Orders are due by May 10th. For more information to order please visit https://www.hamiltonswcd.org/native-plant-sale.html.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for April:
Downy Woodpecker: Broadcaster

When I was in high school, I received extra credit in Spanish class for listening to HCJB, an international shortwave radio station in Quito, Ecuador, famous for its religious broadcasts al mundo. Later, during my college days, LeSEA Broadcasting, from South Bend, built their antenna near Noblesville, and broadcast the message of the gospel over Channel 40 in this area. Getting the word (Word) out was the goal.

Birds, too, rely on broadcasting to get their messages across. In April, the male of many species here in Indiana is in full song, trying to attract a female to his territory, the boundaries of which he will use song to defend. However, instead of singing, woodpeckers drum. Yes, that rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat, etc is NOT the sound of the woodpecker drilling for an insect or excavating a nest hole. It is instead the bird’s way of marking its claim to that part of a woods.

I have depicted a Downy Woodpecker just having finished a drum, now listening for a nearby rival. The red spot on the back of its head shows it to be a male. The female is identical, except that the median black stripe goes from the forehead over the top and down to the nape, without the red spot. Of the seven species of woodpeckers occurring in Indiana, this is the most common, both in our woods and in Indiana as a whole. It is about 6 inches long, while its nearly-identical cousin, the Hairy Woodpecker, is more than 9 inches long (with a much larger bill). I find the downy on many strolls through the Meditational Woods, but have yet to observe a hairy. Enjoy the drumming from now until June, when the WB (woodpecker broadcasting) will “go off the air” until next spring. ~Brad J

Teacher Position Opening with MSPC ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative (MSPC, formerly Meridian Street Preschool Cooperative), a non-profit organization, is a play-based program centered on the philosophy that children, parents, and teachers learn from each other. Through a purposefully planned environment, we carefully nurture each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. The 3/4s Classroom Teacher would be responsible for providing quality, developmentally appropriate programming for one class of children with the support of two participating parents daily. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:45 a.m with enrichment until 1:30pm on Thursdays only. This position begins in September 2019, with fall and spring breaks, and summer break from June through August each year. Salary to be discussed at interview. For more information including how to apply, please visit http://bit.ly/2VAypqH.

Books Galore ~ We have a fine library containing many books on Quaker practices, beliefs, and history. The library, refreshed and well-organized by John Moorman and committee, is beside the office. Also see the pamphlets from Pendle Hill covering topics of current interest. We also have a book exchange cart. You are welcome to take a book, you are invited to donate books, but please, just a few at a time. The cart is in Fellowship Hall. Or sometimes beside the side entrance to the parlor.

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Friend to Friend April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019

As Way Opens

This past Sunday our parlor was a beautiful sight of adults, youth and children of Quaker and Muslim faith sharing food, fellowship and a deep respect and appreciation for our varied religious traditions. We invited friends from Nur Allah Mosque and Masjid Alhuda Community Center in Fishers to share some of their beliefs and practices with our Affirmation youth and other adults from First Friends. It was sweet to see several young people from Nur Allah stand up in front of about 45 of us and talk about daily prayers, their worship service, and some of their basic tenets of faith. Michael Sahir, Imam from Nur Allah talked with all of us about the need to step out of our comfort zones and get to know others that are different than we are. Taking this first step of connection will allow us to see the many common elements of our different faiths. There is much more that connects us then divides us in terms of our faith and beliefs. But we must get to know each other to understand this. We all worship and seek the experience of God and how this experience transforms us and calls us to action in the world. This is what will change our world and bring us into the promise of a beloved community.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

On Saturday April 6 some folks from First Friends took part in a wonderful event celebrating the Abrahamic Traditions. We discussed the importance of charity from each of our traditions.

We spent last Sunday night with the Pacers! With the light blazing in from windows over our section, it was hard to get good photos of our spread-out crew from First Friends! Sadly our Pacers lost their last game of the regular season, but we all had fun!

Seven Quakers from First Friends showed up on behalf of IFCL for the Indiana House Financial Services Committee hearing of SB 613 on Tuesday, a lending bill to expand payday and subprime lending products to our most vulnerable Hoosiers. The bill, after an eleventh-hour amendment with no opportunity for review or input, passed out of committee 7-3, but we are not giving up yet. We all need to contact our state senators and representatives to tell them this bill is bad policy, bad politics, and bad for cash poor Hoosiers, who could be trapped in long-term cycles of debt at triple-digit interest rates. The bill could be voted on as early as this Thursday, so your calls and emails can make a difference. Thank you.

Let’s all give thanks to our food pantry volunteers last week! We had a great group of volunteers last week: Carolyn, Erin, Chelsea and Kendal T; Kathy and Bill F; Beth F; Ray Guest; Linda and Rik L; Mara S; and Carol and Jim D. We were busy serving 94 families. Thank you all!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Faith & Community Renewal ~ The Indianapolis Peace & Justice Center invites you to learn more about Eastern Star, a predominantly African-American congregation which is transforming a neighborhood in amazingly progressive ways. As Eastern Star Church prepares to celebrate 100 years of faith & service to the Indianapolis community, the congregation in 2017 began new community development endeavors set to renew their community for the Kingdom through the ROCK Initiative. Come learn how Eastern star church is compelled by the mission and faith to reach out and work to improve the quality of life in the 46218 community. This event is being held at Krannert Hall at the Indiana Interchurch Center, 1100 W 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 on Thursday, April 11 from 7:00-8:30pm. The cost is free. If you have questions, please call 317-591-5050 ext. 109.

April Eco-Film - A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet is the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement – grassroots and global activism spanning fifty years from conservation to climate change. The film chronicles the largest movement of the 20th century and one of the keys to the 21st. It brings together all the major parts of environmentalism and connects them. It focuses on activism, people fighting to save their homes, their lives, the future – and succeeding against all odds. Please join us for the showing here at First Friends Meeting on Friday, April 12 at 7:00pm. See you there!

Spring Wildflower Hike ~ All are invited to join our very own Norma Wallman, author of Wildflowers of Holliday Park, for a leisurely spring hike at the park to see what’s blooming. Norma began personally documenting wildflowers on walks and has now collected 20 years of data specific to the flowers of Holliday Park. The hike will be on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00-11:30am at Holliday Park, 6363 Spring Mill Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46260. Tickets are $7 per person. Ages 16 and up. For more information or to register, please visit https://apm.activecommunities.com/indyparks/Activity_Search/nature-spring-wildflower-hike-holliday-park/13377.

Mid North Food Pantry ~ This Sunday, April 14, is the final day of First Friend’s 2019 campaign for the Mid North Food Pantry. Thank you to those who have already contributed. If you have yet to contribute and would like to do so, please consider making a contribution this Sunday. Checks can be made payable to First Friends with a notation of “food pantry.” Thanks for your help with this most worthy project.

Connecting with Creation

Last week in Creation Care, we mentioned the 4 R’s. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Let’s explore some very simple ways that we can Refuse to add more plastic into our waste stream. When you are at a restaurant, if you don’t need a straw to drink, Refuse it.

By declining plastic straws, the Evangelical Environmental Network is educating children about plastics that contaminate the oceans and harm God’s creatures.
The Last Straw
Backlash Against Straws

You can also Refuse to use disposable plastic bags when you go shopping. Have you ever noticed how many plastic bags end up alongside the road, caught in the trees or floating in your nearest river? You can ask the stores you shop in, to stop using disposable plastic bags.

On May 5, you can make a reusable shopping bag from an old T-shirt or buy a fabric shopping bag that the youth will be selling to help fund their trip to Philadelphia.
Why you should stop using plastic bags

Start a trend at work or school. Reduce throw away containers. Bring your lunch in a reusable container and use a stainless steel water bottle that you can refill instead of buying water in plastic bottles. Should we look into having a filtered water dispenser at First Friends?
Reducing Plastic as a Family

This week on the bulletin board, share with our community one way that you have Refused or Reduced your use of disposable items, particularly plastics.

Mary B, Kathy F, Beth F

Please note that the Meetinghouse will be open on Good Friday, April 19 from noon-3:00pm for anyone who would like to come worship in the Meetingroom. You may choose self-guided worship or unprogrammed worship.

Teacher Position Opening with MSPC ~ Maple Seeds Preschool Cooperative (MSPC, formerly Meridian Street Preschool Cooperative), a non-profit organization, is a play-based program centered on the philosophy that children, parents, and teachers learn from each other. Through a purposefully planned environment, we carefully nurture each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. The 3/4s Classroom Teacher would be responsible for providing quality, developmentally appropriate programming for one class of children with the support of two participating parents daily. The class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-11:45 a.m with enrichment until 1:30pm on Thursdays only. This position begins in September 2019, with fall and spring breaks, and summer break from June through August each year. Salary to be discussed at interview. For more information including how to apply, please visit http://bit.ly/2VAypqH.

Comedy with First Friends - Postponed ~ Please note that comedy night with First Friends at ComedySportz scheduled for April 18 is being postponed for the time being due to lack of interest. Please keep an eye out later in the year for a reschedule of this event.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month for April:
Downy Woodpecker: Broadcaster

Seeking Friends Notice ~ Please note that there will be no Seeking Friends Sunday school class on Sunday, April 21st as we prepare for our Easter celebrations. Other Sunday school activities will still take place that morning.

Seasoned Friends ~ Our next gathering for our “Seasoned Friends” retirement age Friends group will be Wednesday, April 24 at 11:30am. Our luncheon will focus on fresh spring foods and salads. After our luncheon we will hear from guest speaker Steven Baranyk who will tell us about Elizabeth Friedman, a Quaker dubbed “America’s first female cryptanalyst” whose work includes decrypting German messages during WWII. If you’re interested, please RSVP to the Meeting Office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

A Gathering of Hope for Friends who have experienced loss ~ First Friends is glad to present our “Gathering of Hope” on Sunday, April 28 after Meeting for Worship. This is a gathering for anyone who has experienced any kind of loss in the last year, such as a job loss, relationship loss, pet loss, divorce, etc. We will hold a lunch and a facilitated discussion on loss and grief. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP with the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading’s April pick is The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe! Even though he cannot be with us, this book was suggested by Dan R who found it a real encouragement. The discussion will be on Tuesday April 30th at 7 pm in the Parlor. New York Times Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/06/books/review/the-end-of-your-life-book-club-by-will-schwalbe.html Click on this link to follow event information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1864967900382889/ Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’d like to receive email updates.

Save the Date: Shalom Zone’s 5th Tuesday Event ~ The next 5th Tuesday event sponsored by the Shalom Zone churches will be Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00pm at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Rd, 46220. The topic will be Healthcare and Human Rights. Our speaker will be Fran Quigley, a clinical professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he directs the Health and Human Rights Clinic. He also edits the weekly publication, Faith in Healthcare, www.faithinhealthcare.org, and coordinates the non-profit advocacy group of the same name. This is a free event and all are invited to attend. We hope to see you there!

First Friends’ Experiment with Light Retreat – Registration Now Open! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9:00am – 4:30pm where First Friends will host this mindful and introspective retreat. The Experiment with Light Retreat draws upon early Quaker practices and contemporary meditation to help people move past intellectual and emotional blocks and encounter the Divine. This retreat will help you have a personal encounter with the Divine that lights the path of your life and animates your life in community. All are welcome to join. Breakfast and Lunch will be included. If you’d like to register, please visit https://goo.gl/forms/oo2Zb4L4UL6kL9jH3. We hope you will be there!

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Friend to Friend April 3 2019

April 3, 2019

As Way Opens

On Tuesday morning, I had my haircut on the way into the office. The stylist who cut my hair was new to this establishment. She was very talkative with the usual hair salon banter – mostly talk of the weather, how many kids I had, and what I was planning to do today. She had made a joke about it being dangerous cutting my hair so early in the morning, especially after all she had to drink the night before. I laughed but also wondered a bit. She began cutting my hair, and then came the question that I get a bit nervous answering, “So, what do you do for a living?”

I answered as I usually do with a little hesitancy in my voice, “I am a pastor.” Immediately, she stopped cutting my hair and began apologizing for her earlier joke about drinking too much. I said, “No apology necessary” because I had sensed the joking nature. Yet for some reason my proclaiming my profession had completely changed her demeanor. She proceeded to put her scissors down and tell me that she was kicked out of her church when she was a late teen for becoming pregnant out of wedlock. In the mirror, I saw her looking down at the floor as she continued to say, “But that wasn’t the worst part. They made me get up in front of the entire church and apologize.” I devastatingly said, “I am so sorry, and asked if she received any support.” Her response was, “Only judgement and a boot out the door.” She did get a smile on her face when she explained that while in front of the congregation as she apologized she quoted Matthew 7:1-2 (which she still has memorized and spoke not missing a word),

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

The stylist said, it would be almost 20 years before she entered that church again, pointing out that they now have a new pastor who has a different “set of rules.” Clearly, she is rightly uncomfortable at church and much of it has to do with the rules. Just talking about this raised a great deal of angst and anger in her voice. Then she remembered I was a pastor. Without batting an eye, she asked me if my church was like that church. I said, “Thankfully NO.” She laughed and said, “You wouldn’t tell me if it were.” I guaranteed her that it was not.

Sadly, I have heard too many stories just like this over my 20+ years in ministry. Opportunities for the church to be the grace, love, and the forgiveness of Christ, but where instead they chose to cast the first stone. Recently, I and a handful of people from First Friends had the opportunity to hear Nadia Bolz-Webber. Nadia is addressing just these issues in her most recent book, Shameless: A Sexual Reformation. I pulled out my phone and shared with my stylist something that stuck with me that Nadia had said about the church.

“I need a place to confess that I don't have everything figured out. Christianity is not a program for avoiding mistakes; it is a faith of the guilty. There is no "right" or perfect way to be. We learn from our mistakes; we extend grace to others and ourselves…so is grace the antithesis of rejection.” (Bolz-Weber: Shameless)

My stylist smiled and said, “OK, I believe you. Your church is not like mine.” I told her that she was always welcome at our church and I was confident that she knew that. Who do you know that needs the grace, forgiveness, and love of Christ instead of more rejection, today?

Grace and peace,

Bob

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Cloth needed for MNFP ~ The Mid-North Food Pantry is requesting donations of heavier cloth (such as curtains or upholstery fabric). We are trying to have more earth-friendly, reusable bags for food pantry clients. If you have unwanted heavier fabrics that would be suitable for food pantry bags, please put them in the Donation Station Food Pantry bin (located in the northwest corner of Fellowship Hall). The following link has instructions on making fabric bags. If anyone is interested in making bags, please contact Carol D to volunteer, or the office at office@indyfriends.org. https://www.freequiltpatterns.info/free-tutorial---fat-sack-by-terry-atkinson.htm. We also need donations of unneeded suitcases with working roller wheels to help transport food for the recipients who carry their food back to their residences. These donations should be put near the Food Pantry Bin. Thanks!

Niagara Abrahamic Traditions Dinner 2019 ~ The Niagara Foundation cordially invites you to the Abrahamic Traditions Dinner. This is an annual event which strengthens friendship and understanding among people of the three Abrahamic religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. A variety of individuals, such as religious leaders, government officials, university professors, and community members, come together to engage in dialogue and honor the importance of religious diversity and inter-religious cooperation. This year the Indianapolis dinner will be held on Saturday, April 6th 6:30-9:00pm at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N Meridian St, 46260. This is a free event. Please RSVP at cenk@niagarafoundation.org.

Come experience interfaith worship with our Affirmation class! On Sunday, April 7 after Meeting for Worship our affirmation group will get the opportunity to see and participate in an Islamic service. All are invited to stop by the Parlor to also experience this service.

Small Group Discussions continue ~ If you weren't able to make it the last session, here is what we will be discussing in our next gathering of each. Contact the office, Bill H, or one of the group leaders with any questions.

Monday April 8th 6:30p at Mary Ellen's led by Mary Ellen L and Deb S
"Unlearning God" by Phil Gulley: chapter 14 Phil's essay "The Truth is Seldom Simple. "

Tuesday April 9th 7:00p at Panera in Fishers led by Jim and Leslie K
Richard Rohr's "Immortal Diamond ": chapter 2-4 on the False Self, What Dies and Who Lives, and the Knife Edge of Experience.

Thursday April 11th 7:00p at First Friends led by Kent F and Ed M
Men's group study on Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning ": 2nd half (through page ~90) of the essay on his story of being in concentration camps

Faith & Community Renewal ~ The Indianapolis Peace & Justice Center invites you to learn more about Eastern Star, a predominantly African-American congregation which is transforming a neighborhood in amazingly progressive ways. As Eastern Star Church prepares to celebrate 100 years of faith & service to the Indianapolis community, the congregation in 2017 began new community development endeavors set to renew our community for the Kingdom through the ROCK Initiative. Come learn how Eastern star church is compelled by the mission and faith to reach out and work to improve the quality of life in the 46218 community. This event is being held at Krannert Hall at the Indiana Interchurch Center, 1100 W 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 on Thursday, April 11 from 7:00-8:30pm. The cost is free. If you have questions, please call 317-591-5050 ext. 109.

Connecting with Creation

Later this month, various Earth Day activities will occur on or around April 22, 2019. This date gives us Quakers an opportunity to reflect on God’s creation and why it is important for us as God’s children to care for this remarkable Earth.

The data tell us that our climate is changing, that it is human caused and that it is already warming. We may have friends or family dealing with devastating floods in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri or Illinois. My sister in law has been evacuated twice from her home due to the threat of wildfires. We know that scientists are working with farmers as they learn to adapt crops to wetter springs and drought in summer. See Purdue Climate Change Research Center Report…Purdue Climate Change Ag Report

What should we do to care for creation? First, we need to talk about it. Listen to this TED talk by Katherine Hayhoe, climate scientist, mother and committed Christian.
Katherine Hayhoe-TED Talk

What has First Friends been doing? First Friends has been changing to LED bulbs to reduce our electricity demands. Members often car pool to events to reduce their carbon emissions. Many members drive fuel efficient vehicles or bike as often as possible. We have been using fewer disposable paper products for meals together and using china cups instead of Styrofoam for coffee. Others garden together to grow some of their produce locally which reduces long distance impacts of importing food. Others have been sponsoring Eco-Films to help educate the community about environmental concerns.

During the month of April, FF Creation Care Team will explore some ideas with you to help make a brighter future for our children and those impacted by the adverse effects of climate change.

We will post some resources on the website that you can explore and ponder and talk with others about. Watch for a bulletin board where you can share with the First Friends community how creation speaks to you: is it a special place, a sound or watching birds and flowers in the Woods? We will talk about the 4 R’s, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. On May 5, we will have an activity to recycle old T-shirts into shopping bags. Start looking through your old shirts that you’d like to take shopping with you!

Mary B, Kathy F, Beth F

More resources:

Purdue Climate Change Research Center

Evangelical Environmental Network

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month: March

Red-tailed Hawk: Goliath

Last month I reported seeing a Northern Mockingbird for the first time at the woods. In mid-March, as I was driving by the north entrance to the meetinghouse, I caught a glimpse of the mockingbird atop the awning over the steps. It was displaying the black and white by flashing its wings, and flipping its tail. I assumed it was a male putting on a courtship show for a female. I got out nearby to look for the female, and saw that my assumption was wrong. The large shadow on the pavement below indicated a large bird overhead. As the buteo (hawk) soared for a moment before flying away toward the woods, the reddish undertail told me it was a Red-tailed Hawk. The mockingbird was not doing a courtship display; it was playing David to the hawk’s version of Goliath. Of course, in this case, there were no slings and pebbles, and perhaps with my help, Goliath flew away. This likely means that the mockingbird has staked out a territory, and perhaps we will see him often during the nesting season. Might Goliath return? Perhaps! For now it is an “unresolved resolution,” if the reader will pardon the oxymoron. ~Brad J

Save the Date – Comedy with First Friends! Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm for a comedy show outing! It will be at ComedySportz, 721 Massachusetts Avenue. This is a unique competitive Improv show which has been in Indianapolis since 1993. This show is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! There will be no Threshing Together that night, as the men are encouraged to attend this event. Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing the office at office@indyfriends.org or call 317-255-2485.

Gathering of Hope ~ First Friends is glad to present our “Gathering of Hope.” This is a gathering for anyone who has experienced any kind of loss in the last year, such as a job loss, relationship loss, pet loss, divorce, etc. We will hold a lunch and a facilitated discussion on loss and grief. If you’d like to attend, please RSVP with the office at office@indyfriends.org or 317-255-2485.

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Friend to Friend March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

As Way Opens

Last week I had the opportunity to stay with friends that have a beautiful condo at 40th and Meridian on the 10th floor of the building. The condo has floor to ceiling windows throughout all of the rooms and the view of the city of Indianapolis is magnificent. I watched the city go to sleep as the evening progressed and felt this sense of calm and peace and God’s care of the universe as we all went to bed.

The next morning I was up early and watched as the city became awake and felt the sense of hope, promise, opportunity and a sense of participation in God’s creation making itself anew that day.

I thought of the scripture from Revelation 21:4-6

God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. And the one who was seated on the throne said, See I am making all things new. Also he said Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true. Then he said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

I am a big fan of Richard Rohr and his writing from his blog on March 10th spoke to this idea of all creation continually being renewed and changed towards a new and better thing.

"God keeps creation both good and new—which means always going somewhere even better or, in a word, evolving. God keeps creating things from the inside out, so they are forever yearning, developing, growing, and changing. This is the generative force implanted in all living things, which grows things both from within—because they are programmed for it—and from without—as they take in light, nutrition, and water.

If we see the Eternal Christ Mystery as the symbolic Alpha Point for the beginning of “time,” we can see that history and evolution indeed have an intelligence, a plan, and a trajectory from the very start. The Risen Christ, who appears in the middle of history, assures us that, all crucifixions to the contrary, God is leading us somewhere positive. God has been leading us since the beginning of time and even includes us in the process of unfolding. We are invited to be a “New Humanity” (Ephesians 2:15b). Christ is both the Divine Radiance at the beginning and the Divine Allure drawing and attracting us into a more positive future. We are thus bookended in a Personal Love—coming from Love and moving toward an ever more inclusive Love".

May we bask in the knowledge that God is creating something new in each of us today.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

It’s been busy at the Meetinghouse! This week the Meetinghouse is getting some roofing done on the Northeast side of the building while the kids are on spring break. This will take care of repeated leaks the building has had in recent months. Thank you to the Trustees for taking care of our Meeting!

This past Sunday we loved having Jaimie Mudd give the sermon during Meeting for Worship. Jaime and her husband, Dan, are both students at Earlham School of Religion. They also are the retreat leaders for our upcoming “Mind the Light” Retreat on Saturday, May 11th. After worship we had a blessing and a sending for her.

Sunday we also held a fundraiser for Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR) in memory of our dearly departed Ann P. Thank you to everyone who came to share in fellowship and to support this wonderful cause. If you’d still like to support RSWR, it’s not too late! Simply send your donation into the Meeting or drop in the offering plate on Sunday with the memo “RSWR.” We are still trying to reach our goal to sponsor a RSWR project. Please consider supporting this ministry!

Let’s extend our thanks to our Mid-North Food Pantry volunteers last Wednesday! Beth F; Kathy R; Christie M; Linda and Rik L; Bill F; Tony M; Carol and Jim D. Thank you for your service!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Soup and Service! You are invited to join our First Friends community for the initial Soup & Service event immediately after Meeting for Worship on Sunday, March 31st. This informal soup luncheon will “kick off” First Friends’ annual campaign to raise funds for the Mid North Food Pantry, an organization that First Friends has assisted for about 15 years. You can expect to learn more about the pantry during the luncheon from some of the folks from First Friends who have volunteered at the pantry. You are invited to bring a dessert to share, but is not necessary. Please plan to attend.

Coffee, Chocolates & Tea for Sale! ~ When you’re in Fellowship Hall this Sunday please be sure to also stop to see Beth, who will be selling tea, coffee and chocolates. Proceeds will go to Mid-North Food Pantry.

Meditational Woods Bird of the Month: March
Red-tailed Hawk: Goliath

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Friend to Friend March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

As Way Opens

Today is the first day of Spring! FINALLY! YIPPEE! Over the weekend, Sue and I actually grilled-out for the first time in 2019. While on the patio, I took a brief inventory of our garden beds in our backyard. And to my amazement and excitement, life was breaking forth.

This inspired me this week as I was writing a week’s worth of devotionals for Fruit of the Vine a devotional from Barclay Press. Here is a bit of what I wrote,

“Most of us know that seeds have to be buried in the ground before they can rise up from out of the earth to produce new life. Think about that for a moment…when we see death around us, when people are being buried in the ground, when we are ending an era, when jobs, ministries, administrations, even buildings or businesses are closing, do we recognize that they may be making way for the possibility of new life? The “seed” is the metaphor for potential life to break forth!

But in our grief, in our pain, in our wanting to hold on to the past, or our idea of what we thought something should be. We too often cling to death and hinder the needed change. We miss the opportunities around us to embrace the life that is bursting forth, right now!”

This is much like my garden beds. They look so bare and dreary, and all winter I wonder if new life will ever spring forth. I often complain that winter-death is hanging on, yet each morning I take a look out my windows in anticipation of the first signs of resurrection – of life breaking forth from the humus of the earth.

I wonder how our perspectives would change, if we looked out the “windows” of our lives each day in anticipation for life to spring forth around us. We may begin to see the possibilities not just the death, expect a needed change instead of complaining, and find hope arising when we were ready to throw in the towel.

Let’s embrace this wonderful season as we seek the life that God is resurrecting around us.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Small Groups ~ Over the last week, 3 different book studies have begun. If you weren't able to make it to the first one, here is what we will be discussing in our next gathering of each. (The Tues group will not meet March 26th in lieu of Oak Leaf.) Contact the office, Bill H, or one of the group leaders with any questions.

· Monday March 25th 630p at Mary Ellen's led by Mary Ellen L and Deb S
"Unlearning God" by Phil Gulley: chapter 2 Phil's essay "We Revered Women Too Much to Let Them Lead."

· Thursday March 28th 7p at First Friends led by Kent F and Ed M
Men's group study on Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning ": 1st half (through page ~45-50) of the essay on his story of being in concentration camps

· Tuesday April 2nd 7p at Panera in Fishers led by Jim and Leslie K
Richard Rohr's "Immortal Diamond ": chapter 1 and 2, appendix 1 on "True Self" and "False self"

Making Neighbors Even Better ~ The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center invites you to a live “TED" Talk “Gentrification Done Right” next Wednesday, March 20th, 7:00-8:30pm. In this talk we will ask, “What makes a neighborhood a neighborhood?” Join us for a conversation about how art can help us rediscover what it means to be a community. It will be held at the Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N Delaware St., Indianapolis 46202. Questions? Call 317-288-0408 or email in-dypeaceandjusticectr@gmail.com.

Men’s Threshing Together ~ If you are interested in gathering with other men who mull over current issues or topics, where all points of view are heard, no decisions are made, and all in a non-threatening atmosphere over a meal, then Threshing Together is for you! Join us for our next meeting on Thursday, March 21 at 7:00pm. See locations here: https://goo.gl/QhkXTo.

First Friends is excited to welcome special guest preacher, Jaime Mudd on Sunday, March 24th for our focus on Women’s History Month. Jaime and her husband, Dan, are both students at Earlham School of Religion. They also are the retreat leaders for our upcoming “Mind the Light” Retreat on Saturday, May 11th. Jaime has a plethora of talents and gifts to share. We look forward to her message and challenge during Meeting for Worship on the 24th.

Right Sharing Fundraiser in memory of Ann P ~ Please plan on joining us for a fundraiser here at First Friends Meeting in honor of our dearly beloved Ann P. It will be on Sunday, March 24th. We will have a simple meal as well as auction off a quilt in Ann’s memory made by the sewing group Ann was a part of. Our goal is to raise $6,500 to support a designated project for a group of women in India, Sierra Leone or Kenya (we can select the project). We will receive regular communication from the women and pictures of what they are doing. Right Sharing supports and funds small businesses run by women in these 3 countries. If you’d like to support RSWR, contributions can be sent to the Meeting office at 3030 Kessler Blvd E Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220 with the notation “RSWR.” You can also drop off your contribution in the offering plate on Sundays. Thank you for supporting this important ministry!

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is coming! Bob H will be leading On the Brink of Everything by Parker J Palmer on the 26th of March at 7 pm in the Parlor. Publishers Weekly Review: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5230-9543-8 Click on this link to follow event information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/386275222161561/ Everybody is welcome!

Crop Rotation Ideas; Free Seeds for Gardeners

Hello gardeners! Last issue we addressed planning your garden space and preparing the soil. We sent out a list of planting times for raised beds in our area. This information is also on purchased seed packets. Remember that you can refer to our garden notebooks in Fellowship Hall and in the garage. We also have a small seed library in the garage. Glendale Library’s Seed Library is open and patrons can check out five seed packets per visit and fifteen total packets for the season.

If you want to learn more about gardening and use a plot, please contact the office at office@indyfriends.org.

There have been requests for crop rotation plans. FYI, heavy feeder crops like corn and tomatoes use up nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. Leafy and fruity crops like lettuce and cabbage use up nitrogen. Light feeders include roots and herbs. Legumes like peas and beans add nitrogen and need phosphorus.

Save the Date – Comedy with First Friends! Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm for a comedy show outing! It will be at ComedySportz, 721 Massachusetts Avenue. This is a unique competitive Improv show which has been in Indianapolis since 1993. This show is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! There will be no Threshing Together that night, as the men are encouraged to attend this event. Please keep tuned for more details as we get closer!

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Friend to Friend March 13, 2019

March 13, 2019

As Way Opens

I spent last week in Orlando Florida visiting my brother and sister-in-law and spending time with my dear neighbors that now live in Chicago. What a great week to depart the lingering winter of Indiana. While there I caught up on reading for my Christian Ethics class that I am taking at Earlham School of Religion towards my master’s in divinity. We are reading books like Postmodernism and Public Policy: Reframing Religion, Culture, Education, Sexuality, Class, Race, Politics and the Economy, Christian Ethics: A Case Approach and Christian Ethics: An Essential Guide. These deeply philosophical and theological books are interesting to read and study but take our spiritual lives into our heads and out of our hearts. I believe that it’s important in our academic studies to consider these topics and yet as Quakers we believe in the power of experience.

And then last Friday in the midst of my readings at the pool, I looked up into the sky and saw this message – “Trust Jesus”. I felt like God was speaking directly into my heart. Trust Jesus. Those two words can really sum up our spiritual experience and practice. If we trust in the words that Jesus spoke while on this earth, trust in the example of His life, trust in the power of resurrection, our lives will be changed. When we face the darkness, when things seem desperate, when we feel empty, trusting Jesus brings us into the intimacy and firm belief of the reliability and strength of this life changing relationship. During my difficult days do I trust Jesus?

Beth

Joys & Concerns

A note from Tim & Megan W ~ Dear First Friends Family - Thank you for the love you have showered on us and baby during our postpartum time. The meals, visits, cards, and prayers have been such a blessing and made our family feel loved and cared for. We appreciate each of you and look forward to being back in fellowship soon. With love, Tim and Megan W

We’d like to extend our thanks to our Mid-North Food Pantry volunteers: Christie M, Kathy and Bill F, Ray G, Tony M, Linda and Rik L, and Carol and Jim D. We were very busy as we served 92 families. Thank you for your service!

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

IFCL – Indiana SB 613 ~ This photo was taken at a press conference held on Monday, March 11th at the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to SB 613, a bill that would increase high-cost "payday" loans in Indiana. Diana Hadley, clerk of IFCL (Indiana Friend's Committee on Legislation), is in the blue jacket, front row, left side. IFCL along with many organizations including Veteran groups, social service providers, churches and other faith-based groups oppose passage of this bill. These types of usurious loans have been shown to create a downward financial spiral that ends in personal economic ruin. The bill has already made it out of the Senate and is headed to the House of Representatives. Please join the voices of many who oppose this legislation by contacting your Representative at the Indiana Statehouse as soon as possible, urging opposition to this bill. For more information on Indiana SB 613, please visit https://goo.gl/dTshBE.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Rise Up Singalong ~ Sing Along with Jim on March 15th, the third Friday. We start at 7 and end around 8:30. Shakers, tambourine, and wooden frog are available to add to the fun. Join the group in singing Moon River, Leavin’ on a Jet Plane, Rock A My Soul and more. Improv harmonies welcomed. Shower singers, in-the-car singers warmly welcomed.

Come experience interfaith worship with our Affirmation class! On Friday, March 22 our affirmation group will be visiting Beth El-Zedeck Synagogue to experience a Jewish service. The service starts at 6:00pm or meet us at the Meetinghouse at 5:30 to carpool! Also, in our Parlor after worship on Sunday, April 7 the class will get the opportunity to experience an Islamic service as well. All are invited to stop by!

Take What You Need Concert March 17th 3PM at Roberts Park UMC 401 N. Delaware, Indianapolis. VOCE (member Carolyn T sings with this group) and Matthew’s Voices (a choir composed of current and formerly homeless individuals) have joined together for a concert where community connects, stories emerge and relationships are formed. This will be a moving experience combining music with the personal stories of some of the choir members. Tickets are $5. More information can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2090390034385546/

Calling All Community Gardeners and Wannabe Gardeners

Get out the seed packets and garden tools! Grab the sun hats and sunscreen! It is time to claim and ready garden plots in our organic community garden. Welcome to Samantha who is rejoining Nancy as co-clerk of the Gardening Committee (under Ministry and Council) after her busy year off. We are so glad that Sam is resuming this position.

If you would like a plot contact Sam and Nancy as soon as possible. You may email the office at office@indyfriends.org.

Gardening to do list:

· Create a garden plan remembering to leave lots of space between plants. Most grow bigger than you think. Research what was planted in your space last season so you can rotate crops, thereby replenishing nutrients and helping to avoid last year’s pests and disease. We had many squash bugs!

· Start indoor seedlings. Free seeds are available at Glendale Library and our garden library in the garage.

· Prepare soil. This is especially important for an organic garden. Soil quality makes all the difference. You can shovel under any cover crops and hand pick and destroy slugs, roly-polies (they cause insignificant damage after seedling stage), centipedes, wireworms, cutworms, caterpillars and bug pests. (Squashing squash bugs releases pheromones that can attract more. Instead, drown them in or spray them with soapy water or use organic pesticides such as neem, pyrethrum and spinosad.) Leave earthworms. You may wish to test the acidity of your plots with a kit from the gardening store before you apply organic nutrients or soil. Please do not use animal manure because it can spread disease and weeds to all of our plots. You may want to let the first weeds grow and then pluck them out before they go to seed so you have fewer weeds to compete with crops. Weed before you plant. Remember it is easier to pull weeds when they are small. Keep up with them so they do not take over and rob your crops of food and water.

· Plant cold weather crops outdoors. Research planting times. You may refer to charts and the gardening notebook in Fellowship Hall near the recycle center. See p. 64 for raised beds, area C.

· Add natural predators and beneficial creatures if you like. These include ladybugs, praying mantises, nematodes and earthworms.

--Nancy

Garden Song

Inch by inch, row by row

Gonna make this garden grow.

All you need is a rake & a hoe [Gonna mulch it deep & low.]

And a piece of fertile ground. [Gonna make it fertile ground.]

Inch by inch, row by row

Someone [Please] bless these seeds I sow.

Someone warm them from below [Please keep them safe below]

‘Til the rains keep tumbling down.
–David Mallett, songwriter

(Thanks to Linda Lee for submitting this adorable song that most of us remember from childhood.)

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading is coming! Bob Henry will be leading On the Brink of Everything by Parker J Palmer on the 26th of March at 7 pm in the Parlor. Publishers Weekly Review: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5230-9543-8 Click on this link to follow event information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/386275222161561/ Everybody is welcome!

Soup and Service! What was formerly known as Community Soup is now “Soup and Service!” On the 5th Sunday of the month, Sunday, March 31 after worship, come and share in a meal and fellowship, and hear about one of First Friends’ outreach projects. This month we will discuss Mid-North Food Pantry. If successful we may continue this trend. We will provide the soup. Please join us!

Save the Date – Comedy with First Friends! Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm for a comedy show outing! It will be at ComedySportz, 721 Massachusetts Avenue. This is a unique competitive Improv show which has been in Indianapolis since 1993. This show is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! There will be no Threshing Together that night, as the men are encouraged to attend this event. Please keep tuned for more details as we get closer!

Small Groups ~ It’s not too late to sign up! Come join in a time of deeper fellowship and connection with one of our upcoming Small groups. In the past our small groups study sessions were an opportunity to deepen connections in a small group with Friends. See below for current available sessions. Sign up at the Meetinghouse or email/call the office to save your spot. Please let us know if you need the Meeting to get a provide a copy of the book for you. We hope you will join us!

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Friend to Friend March 6, 2019

March 6, 2019

As Way Opens

Last Friday night, Sue and I served at two different venues happening in Indy. During my event, Sue texted me from the Sanctuary on Penn, where American Friends Service Committee Indiana was holding their Celebrating Solidarity and Courage event. She noted that there were about 15 people from our Meeting at the event. My heart was warmed to see so many people from First Friends in support of AFSC Indiana’s hard work and service through Revolutionary Visions & Radical Imaginations (the theme of the night).

Meanwhile, I was kicking off the Western Yearly Meeting Spring Retreat at Fort Harrison State Park Inn. My session after dinner for the pastors and their spouses was a personal exploration of some important questions proceeding from Parker Palmer’s latest book, On the Brink of Everything. After introducing the night, we spent a full hour having conversation together around issues that many pastors never ask themselves or each other. I was moved by their openness and willingness to wrestle together with their peers. I sensed it a good way to set the tone for the rest of the retreat.

On Saturday, First Friends hosted day two of the WYM Spring Retreat. Not only was it well attended, we had a good group of people from our Meeting who engaged in the conversations and experiences. During a session where we were “dreaming” with attenders from First Friends, one of our people said with much joy in their voice the following about First Friends:

“I once was rearranging chairs on the Titanic, but now I am on the Love Boat.”

We erupted in laughter and at the same time my heart was warmed. Many wrote that phrase down and felt it was a beautiful description of who First Friends is and continues to become.

All weekend as I sat with other pastors and leaders in our Yearly Meeting, I could not help but reflect on all the great things we are being and doing at First Friends. I found myself often sharing about our Meeting, its great people, and all the ways we are growing and serving our community. Several people mentioned, how we have something really special going on at First Friends. I couldn’t agree more! On that note, que the music…

”Love…exciting and new…come aboard…we’re expecting you…” at First Friends!

Grace and peace,

Bob

Joys & Concerns

Last Sunday we celebrated Scout Sunday. We were pleased to present Adam C the Quaker “That of God” Medal during the service. Great work, Adam! Thanks to Sue H and Deb G for the photos.

Quaker-Affiliated Organizations

IFCL -- Redistricting Reform and SB 105 - Well, we're halfway there. Last week, SB 105, the redistricting standards/criteria bill that IFCL has been lobbying for, passed out of the Indiana Senate 26-23. It now moves over to the House, where the hearing process starts anew. If only we can motivate them...

The House has been slow to act on redistricting reform. Despite a positive recommendation from an 18-month study committee in 2016, the House has not to date advanced, or even taken a vote, on reform. We must encourage the House to do right by Hoosiers and take action this year, before it's too late.

For this purpose, the redistricting coalition IFCL has been working with is holding a press conference on Thursday, March 7th at 3:30pm with legislators, civic leaders, and coalition spokespeople. The purpose of the event is to urge House Elections Committee Chairman Tim Wesco to give SB 105 a hearing and vote in his committee. We'll also call on Speaker Brian Bosma to back up his support for redistricting reform by using his leadership position to ensure that the House take action on redistricting reform this year. The press conference will be on the 3rd floor of the State House, in the south atrium.

And you're invited! If you believe Hoosiers deserve a full and fair debate on redistricting reform in both legislative chambers this year, please come to this event. Together, our presence will lend weight to our message!

Please contact Phil Goodchild (goodch713@aol.com; 317-790-9054) or Ed Morris (emorri@earthlink.net; 317-691-5542) with any questions. Thank you for your support.

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 am!! This means that we “spring forward” in time as we anticipate the wonderful weather to come with it. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward for Sunday morning!

Pacers game RSVPs—Please double-check!! If you RSVP’d for the Pacers game on April 7th please make sure we have your name below. If you still need to RSVP, please contact the office by 8:00am Thursday morning, March 7. We will be unable to accept RSVPs after that time. Current RSVPs: Beattys – 2, Bolander – 1, Curry – 2, Deddens – 2, Donahues – 2, Farris – 2, Farr – 1, Frames – 4, Henricks – 1, Henrys – 4, Linebacks – 2, Rains – 2, Rodinos – 2, Scotts – 4, Smalls – 4, Snells – 3, Sommers – 4, Thornburgs – 4

Sunday Unprogrammed Worship ~ We are now opening the parlor for unprogrammed worship from 9:00 - 10:00 (during the Sunday School hour) every Sunday morning. Folks will enter the parlor in silence and worship together for the hour.

Exhibition and Performance: The Story of Lot’s Wife ~ The Religion, Spirituality & the Arts Seminar (RSA), a project of the IUPUI Arts & Humanities Institute, invited 12 Indiana artists to explore and expound upon the story of Lot’s Wife during the eighth annual Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Seminar and the accompanying art exhibition. Artists include Stan Blevins, Peggy Breidenbach, Alys Caviness-Gober, Marjie Giffin, A. Paul Johnson, Kasey May, Michael McAuley, William Peacock, Katherine Simmons, Jennifer Strange, Teresa Vazquez, and Kevin Wilson.

In this exhibition, the artists consider questions that delve far beyond the story of Lot’s Wife who, as told in Genesis 19, turns to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and becomes a pillar of salt. Did she act in disobedience or out of compassion? What is our responsibility to bear witness? Is looking back redemptive or paralyzing? Might we see contemporary events (mass tragedies, refugees) in the light of this text? Exploring the story through religion, art, poetry, and music, this exhibition will ask questions fundamental to the human experience. This event will be Thursday, March 7 at 6:00pm at the Jewish Community Center (6701 Hoover Rd, Indianapolis), but the works will be available for viewing through April 30th. Additional information about the seminar is available at https://www.culturalecologies.org/rsa/.

Eco-Film: “Courage, Brains and Muscle” ~ We’re excited about former Indiana First Lady, Judy O’Bannon, coming in person to Epworth for the presentation of her new documentary: “Courage, Brains and Muscle: Our Environmental CHAMPIONS.” This will be shown Friday, March 8, 7:00pm, at Epworth UMC, 6450 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, and is sponsored by the Shalom Zone Churches. Ms. O’Bannon will be accompanied by Dr. Carol Johnston, recently retired professor from CTS, as they show the tv Environmental documentary they made in partnership with WFYI. Judy was Indiana’s much loved “First Lady” during husband Frank O’Bannon’s governorship from 1997-2003. This uplifting hour-long film shows Judy traveling our state in search of environmental champions.

Power & Promise ~ Join Christian Theological Seminary to honor Phil Gulley and the power of progressive writing on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Gulley, longtime Quaker pastor and Indiana native, is the author of numerous books including the “Harmony” series of novels, Front Porch Tales, If the Church Were Christian, The Evolution of Faith, and, Unlearning God: How Unbelieving Helped Me Believe. The evening will include a talk by Dan Wakefield, fellow Hoosier and celebrated author of Going All the Way, Starting Over, Returning: A Spiritual Journey, and more. John Krull, host of WFYI's "No Limits," will moderate the evening. Tickets are $25 each (or free for students). Proceeds will support the Indiana Writers Center’s summer learning program, “Building a Rainbow,” which serves at-risk youth in Indianapolis. For more information and to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/honoring-phil-gulley-and-the-power-of-progressive-writing-tickets-53606754245

Small Groups ~ Come join in a time of deeper fellowship and connection with one of our upcoming Small groups. In the past our small groups study sessions were an opportunity to deepen connections in a small group with Friends. See below for current available sessions. Sign up at the Meetinghouse or email/call the office to save your spot. Please let us know if you need the Meeting to get a provide a copy of the book for you. We hope you will join us!

Meditational Woods Bird-of-the-Month for February
Northern Mockingbird
A Time for Singing, and a Time for Silence

A couple of weeks ago, I was pulling into a parking space near the sidewalk into the Meditational Woods. I had not even gotten out of the car, when the bird flew into the large Winterberry bush immediately in front of me at the edge of the woods. The flash of white in the wing and tail got my attention, and the lack of blue, and small head meant it was not the ordinary Blue Jay. In fact it was a Northern Mockingbird: robin-sized, except slimmer with a long tail. Indianapolis is at the northern edge of its “common” range, and the species seems right at home in neighborhood settings like ours. Rough winters, however can reduce the population. This was my first sighting of the species on the meeting house property.

Mockingbirds are famous for their variety of songs and other vocalizations, and for singing on moonlit nights. Not today, however; in fact, outside of the courting and nesting seasons, like this day, the males are usually silent. It did not even give its call, a loud sharp, “thick” or “check”.

A time to sing, and a time to be silent.

Thanks to Norma W for identifying the berry bush for me. ~Brad J

Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading March pick is On the Brink of Everything by Parker J Palmer! The discussion will be led by Bob Henry on Tuesday March 26th at 7 pm in the Parlor. Click here for the Publishers Weekly Review: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5230-9543-8 We hope you can join us this month! Click on this link to follow event information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/386275222161561/ Contact the office at office@indyfriends.org if you’d like to receive email updates.

Mark your calendars – Soup and Service! What was formerly known as Community Soup is now “Soup and Service!” On the 5th Sunday of the month, Sunday, March 31 after worship, come and share in a meal and fellowship, and hear about one of First Friends’ outreach projects. This month we will discuss Mid-North Food Pantry. If successful we may continue this trend. We will provide the soup. Please join us!

First Friends’ Experiment with Light Retreat! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9:00am – 4:30pm where First Friends will host this mindful and introspective retreat. The Experiment with Light Retreat draws upon early Quaker practices and contemporary meditation to help people move past intellectual and emotional blocks and encounter the Divine. This retreat will help you have a personal encounter with the Divine that lights the path of your life and animates your life in community. All are welcome to join. Breakfast and Lunch will be included. If you’d like to register, please visit https://goo.gl/forms/oo2Zb4L4UL6kL9jH3. We hope you will be there!

Save the Date – Comedy with First Friends! Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm for a comedy show outing! It will be at ComedySportz, 721 Massachusetts Avenue. This is a unique competitive Improv show which has been in Indianapolis since 1993. This show is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! There will be no Threshing Together that night, as the men are encouraged to attend this event. Please keep tuned for more details as we get closer!

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Friend to Friend February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

As Way Opens

This past Sunday I led our young people in a Sunday School class that talked about repentance and sin. As I read through the lesson plan, I was wrestling inside of myself for a couple of days with these two words that have carried a lot of shame, fear and negative meaning to me in my youth. The idea of a dualistic God that wants us to deny our self, our bodies, our creation and receive repentance from our depraved selves always bothered me and seemed like an antithesis to the beauty, creation and love of God. I read Romans 6:1-13 in the Message Bible this week and I began to feel differently about the words repentance and sin (as well as a fascinating discussion with our youth about these two concepts). I am excerpting some of the verses from this passage. “This is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world…. God speaks your mother tongue and you hang on every word…. you are alive to God." While Quakers don’t feel the need for a literal water baptism, the idea of baptism is crucial in our understanding of our relationship to God. Sin keeps us turned inward to ourselves and repentance gives us a new life and a new country. There are 2 words in the Greek for new - neos means a new thing that is very much like the first thing. The other new word is kainos which means something new like we have never seen before. Kainos is the word Paul uses in Romans to describe our relationship to God. The love and grace that takes over our life is something beyond anything we have ever seen. We experience an utter transformation and our journey of life is bathed in God’s love. I like what the well-known theologian Soren Kierkegaard says about repentance, “What else is repentance, which does indeed look back, but nevertheless in such a way that precisely thereby it quickens its pace toward what lies ahead!”

After Sunday School on Sunday I led children’s worship for our older kids from 1st to 5th grade. The lesson plan was about prayer and we talked a lot about how and when we all pray. The kiddos learned the Lord’s Prayer and we had activities to memorize this prayer. I was really blown away by how quickly the kids were remembering the words of this prayer from Jesus and at the end of our time together they were all reciting it with their eyes closed. We also talked about the elements of this prayer and how we might incorporate it into how we pray. The kids then created a collage of what their special prayer place would be (shouldn’t we all identify our special prayer place) and ended our time together laying on the floor and entering silent worship and reciting the Lord’s Prayer together. Our kids are amazing conduits to God and I appreciate how they show me Gods heart through their faces, their words and their actions. I am thankful for the insights of all of our children and youth in my spiritual journey.

Beth

Joys & Concerns

Thank you everyone who volunteered at the food pantry last week: Beth F, Ray G, Tony M, Kathy R, Mara S, Kathy and Bill F, Linda and Rik L, Carol and Jim D. Thanks to all for their continuing support of the pantry.

Our Quaker Affirmation curriculum has recently been translated to Spanish by Emma Condori from Bolivia. She said it is already being used in Bolivia and has shared it with Quakers from El Salvador. We are grateful that our Quaker Affirmation youth curriculum is already being spread in Central and South America!

Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities

Indiana House Bill 1093 - Did you know that Indiana is one of only five states without a hate crime law? Indiana is now introducing HB 1093 which outlines and punishes bias crimes. If you’re interested in supporting this legislation, Brent Bill is sending a minute to our representatives on behalf of Quakers in Indiana (read the minute at https://goo.gl/3AwLWC). He is asking anyone interested to show their support by adding their names to the list of Friends supporting this bill. If you would like to add your name, please contact Brent at brentbil@sbcglobal.net no later than Thursday, February 28.

Scout Sunday March 3rd ~ Current and former Scouts, please let us know if there are any changes or updates for you and your family. Please submit any updates to the office so we can recognize you on March 3rd. Please send your name, Scouting Organization, Troop number and Scout rank. Email office@indyfriends.org or call 317-255-2485.

World Day of Prayer ~ You are invited to join an ecumenical celebration of community prayer and action for peace and justice! The service will be on Friday, March 1 at 10:00am at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 4650 N. Shadeland Ave. Come enjoy music, Scripture, and prayer. Light refreshments will be served in the Social Room after the program. For more information, see the flyer here: https://www.saintlawrence.net/images/WD-Eng.pdf

Join First Friends for a night with the Pacers! Please join us for a family outing to the Pacers vs Nets game on Sunday April 7th. Tipoff is at 5:00pm, doors open at 4:00pm. Tickets will be provided by the Meeting. Each person will receive a Pacers hat and a free meal (hot dog, chips and a soda). Please RSVP by Friday, March 1st with Beth Henricks at (beth.henricks@indyfriends.org) if you would like to attend!

Meditational Woods Bird-of-the-Month for February
Northern Mockingbird
A Time for Singing, and a Time for Silence

A time to sing, and a time to be silent.

Thanks to Norma Wallman for identifying the berry bush for me.

~Brad Jackson

AFSC Presents: “Revolutionary Visions & Radical Imaginations: Celebrating Solidarity & Courage” ~ Join American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) for an evening to celebrate and be in community with social justice leaders in Indianapolis. It will be Friday, March 1 at 6:00pm at Sanctuary on Penn, 701 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The evening will include a social hour, dinner, keynote speaker Elle Roberts, and a showcase of local musicians and spoken word artists. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/p7tPzxfZFEScnjy-KV0W5g2.

Church Women United Newsletter ~ Church Women United have a number of events coming up in March and April. Did you know they have a newsletter? It’s a great way to keep up with upcoming events in the Indianapolis area. You can view the March/April edition here: https://goo.gl/EQjr5Q. If you would like to sign up for the CWU newsletter, contact Mary Boggs at marybboggs@yahoo.com.

Samantha R invites you to Financial Peace University ~ Are you ready to take 2019 by storm?! If you're interested in making big changes in your financial life that will lead to empowerment and peace of mind then this is the class for you. When I first took Financial Peace University (FPU) I was 22 and fresh out of college. I owed Valparaiso University $40,000 in student loans and was new to life as a young person with a steady pay check. I am SO grateful for everything I learned in that class. FPU TAUGHT ME TO HATE DEBT! As a result I paid off my student loan debt in 6 years on a social worker's salary, my partner and I bought a home, renovated it paying cash, got married paying cash, and went on a honeymoon of a life time paying cash. The only debt we have is our mortgage and we hate debt so much we plan to have it paid off in 7 years. We couldn't have made all of this possible without FPU! Ready for change?

We're hosting Financial Peace University starting Tuesday, March 5th from 6-8 at Hamilton Exhibits at 9150 East 33rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46235. The class is $110 for a lifetime membership. The 2-hour 9-week class has the amazing potential to CHANGE YOUR LIFE! It changed mine. Click here to sign up.

Rise Up Singalong ~ Sing Along with Jim on March 15th, the third Friday. We start at 7 and end around 8:30. Shakers, tambourine, wooden frog are available to add to the fun. Join the group in singing Moon River, Leavin’ on a Jet Plane, Rock A My Soul and more. Improv harmonies welcomed. Shower singers, in-the-car singers warmly welcomed.

Save the Date – First Friends’ Experiment with Light Retreat! Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9:00am – 4:30pm where First Friends will host this mindful and introspective retreat. The Experiment with Light Retreat draws upon early Quaker practices and contemporary meditation to help people move past intellectual and emotional blocks and encounter the Divine. This retreat will help you have a personal encounter with the Divine that lights the path of your life and animates your life in community. All are welcome to join. Breakfast and Lunch will be included. Keep an eye out in coming months for more information. We hope you will be there!

Save the Date – Comedy with First Friends! Please plan to join us on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00pm for a comedy show outing! It will be at ComedySportz, 721 Massachusetts Avenue. This is a unique competitive Improv show which has been in Indianapolis since 1993. This show is appropriate for all ages, so bring the family! Please keep tuned for more details as we get closer to the event!

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